A woman takes part in a protest against violence against women on International Women's Day in Bogota, on March 8, 2016. (LUIS ACOSTA/AFP/Getty Images)

The United Nations has lauded negotiations between the Colombian government and FARC rebels that make specific guarantees to women as part of a peace accord. The agreement includes promises that women in rural areas receive equal access to land, ownership rights and credit to buy land, and it also sets up a commission to investigate sexual violence perpetrated during the 50-year conflict between the two groups.

“The issue of violence against women, especially sexual violence, has not been swept under the carpet, it has been made a priority so that the victims can seek justice,” the head of U.N. Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said. “This has not happened in other peace accords, so it becomes a historic event.”

Speaking from the Cuban capital, Havana, where the talks are taking place, she said the United Nations should use the example of Colombia in other conflict zones around the world.